Arrangement of the World ( Valleys and Lakes) - Verse 3

The lake extends over the full length of the valley which II I (i.e. former Kugart) range. Most of the mountains mentioned are thus traceable (vide GAP. p. 79-30). Jarudhi (Mt. Ula Tau) is the last mountain in this series of ranges. Tarim basin where the rivers Kizil-su (Sita) , Yarkanda and Aksu enter the sandy belt of the basin. The valley described in vv 1-15 is the Kashgar oasis, the one described in vv 16-22 is the Yarkand oasis and the last ‘Palm forest in vv 23-25 is in and about the Aksu. The poetic description of these oases associating them with gods, goddesses and sages is no exaggeration as the cities of Kashgar, Yarkand, Aksu (and Khotan) have been praised by ancient and mediaeval travellers,; for their affluence, beauty and administration. Remarks M Ali, “It is no wonder that the Puranics onoured these ‘Paradises’ (advanced beautiful oases in the midst of deserts) by associating them with goddess Laksmi, god Kasyapa and Lord Indra to keep fresh in their memories the beauties of the land which was under their influence for a long time” ( AGP p. 104) .